Toyo Ito: Sendai Mediatheque

Book Description

Originally inspired by the image of floating seaweed, Toyo Ito's multi-purpose cultural centre, the Sendai Mediatheque, is a structure both transparent and light. Thirteen steel tubular lattice structures penetrate the design and carry the weight of the 15.75 inch thin floor slabs on each of seven floors, giving the building the impression of being suspended in mid-air. Light is central to the Mediatheque's appearance: when not flooded by daylight, the structure glows artifically from within. Located in Sendai, Japan, the Mediatheque houses a library, art gallery, audio-visual library, film studio, and cafa, and was the subject of an architectural competition in which Ito's was the winning entry. This publication documents the structure's design, construction, and current use.

Toyo Ito: Sendai Mediatheque (Case Series)

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Toyo Ito: Sendai Mediatheque (Case Series)
Ron Witte
Manufacturer: Prestel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 379132537X

Book Description

Toyo Ito Sendai Mediatheque

Edited by Ron Witte

Toyo Ito is one of the foremost architects working today. His architecture makes innovative use of steel and aluminum and includes such paradigm- shifting buildings as the White U House and the Eggs of Winds in Tokyo. This volume focuses on his Mediathèque in Sendai. This newly completed structure, which houses a library, art gallery, cinema, lecture theater, and cybercafé, is predicated on the idea that the users of the building occupy a media/ information landscape or “digital ecology. ”Through a series of extraordinary technical advances— floors supported by a system of occupiable hollow tubes and sophisticated information and media networks— the building creates an environment in which people can engage in cultural activities both internally (within the structure) and externally (through digital connections to the world at large).

This volume investigates the evolution of the structure through a series of essays by experts on media, architectural technology, and digital culture.

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Ito Toyo - GA Detail 2. Sendai Mediatheque, Miyagi, Japan 1995-2000
Mutsuro Sasaki
Manufacturer: ADA Editors,Japan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Reference | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 4871402525

Book Description

Explore the possibilities! Painting Light and Shadow presents an unlimited range of creative watercolor art. Selected from over four thousand entries, the featured artists were chosen for their outstanding talent in portraying light and shadow in their work. This collection includes:

--More than 130 paintings in a multitude of styles and techniques by artists from many different countries

--All subjects matter: portraits, landscapes, abstracts, and more

--Inspirations and techniques explained in the artists' own words

It is an important volume for art collectors, art connoisseurs, and artists themselves, beginning, amateur, and professional.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful reference of ways to achieve light an shadow........1999-01-28

Shadows, when done properly, show off any subject matter. The artists whose works are in this book were chosen from over 4,000 entries, and represent some of the best watercolor artists in the country. The authors have done a superb job of gather and displaying them in a wonderful venue.

Amazon.com

Thanks to digital cameras, it's now easy to shoot a picture while traveling, record it in a digital file, and send it over the Internet to the folks back home. This guide gives you information on digital camera hardware and solid photography techniques in one source.

Digital camera hardware is, if you'll pardon the pun, developing fast. For that reason, the authors don't make many specific make-and-model recommendations and instead focus on features and technical terms that you'll see mentioned in cameras' promotional material for some time to come. If you're wondering what an IrDA port is (an Infrared Data Association port) and whether you should pay extra for smart-card storage media, the brothers Braun can advise you. It would be nice if this book included more information on recording audio and full-motion video with digital cameras--several units have those capabilities--but the still-photography information here is quite good.

You can probably learn more about digital photography by experimenting--after all, digital mistakes don't cost anything and are easy to erase. But if you want some help deciding what kind of camera to buy and a little guidance in the art and science of photography, this book will prove valuable to you. --David Wall

Book Description

This book guides readers through the essentials of both "pure" and "hybrid" digital photography using a hands-on style of instruction. Beginning with the fundamentals of photography, this guide addresses how shooting differs when using digital methods. Other subjects covered include hardware and software needs, shooting tips for a variety of settings, and manipulating and outputting images using a variety of techniques and formats.

Customer Reviews:

A Good BookChocked Full of Information.......2001-06-09

I really enjoyed reading this book because of the authors no nonsense approach to teaching the art of digital photography. I felt that this book presented beginner and intermediate techniques on the subject which is important for anyone pursueing a career in this field. The book was well written and humorous. My favorite chapters were the ones on night shooting, image sharpening and color effects. I also enjoyed reading the chapters on the variety of photographic software. This book falls short in one catagory and that's the lack of color examples. It's difficult to see the effects of lossy, color effects and sharpening on a simple black and white image. I hope that in their next book, they will include more color examples to get their point across. Otherwise this is a good book. You can learn a lot and it's well worth the money spent.

Great book for Beginners, Chocked Full of Information.......2001-06-04

I really enjoyed reading the Braun brother's book, "Learn Digital Photography in a Weekend". I appreciate the authors no nonsense and humanistic approach to teaching the basics of digital photography. The sections on nighttime shooting, image resolution and color correction were some of my favorites to read. One of the books pluses is that it's loaded with important information and it's easy to read. The downside of this book is the lack of color examples. For example, it's hard to see the effects of lossy, color resolution and photo sharpening with a simple black and white image. I suggest that in thier next book to add more color images for examples. Otherwise this book is worth the money because of the information alone. I would definitely read it again.

Book is better that the last review.......2001-02-05

I don't usually write reviews, but I was prompted by the previous review. I was looking for this book because I had given my copy to my son and I wanted another. I have been an amateur photographer for more than 30 years, so I guess that the jargon was not a problem. Digital and film have much in common, but there are some serious differences, highlight loss or blowout to mention just one. I found this book provided me with the insight (within the limits of digital cameras) that I needed to make digital photographs as good or sometimes better than conventional photos

Warning! This book is NOT for beginners........1999-07-24

Unless you are already very familiar with photgraphy terms and techniques, you are buying a lot of frustration and wasting your time and money. The author many time talks as if he is talking to another professional photographer. For example the author did not explain by a simple diagram what he means by 'angle of the subject from the sun' or 'exposing off the ground' or 'exposing off the sky'. Before start using many photography terms in the book, the author does not define or explain terms like exposure compensation, flash fill mode,etc. or at least does not explain clearly. The author wastes a lot of paragraphs on useless talk that is rather obvious or does not add to the understanding of the subject matter. This is dangerous to the poor trees that get cut. In the enire book there is not even a single diagram! Color pictures are only in the center of the book. Most photographs are small size black and white newspaper quality.

Learn Photography in a Weekend (Learn in a Weekend Series)

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Not enough description or examples, okay as intro though
A good introduction
An excellant way to learn the basics

Learn Photography in a Weekend (Learn in a Weekend Series)
Michael Langford
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

ASIN: 0679416749
Release Date: 1992-10-06

Book Description

Part of the "Learn-in-a-Weekend" series.

Customer Reviews:

Not enough description or examples, okay as intro though.......2006-02-05

What better way to learn about photography than an instruction book filled with lots of pictures, right? Unfortunately, no. While Michael Langford's Learn Photography in a Weekend has a large number of examples, the text that accompanies the pictures isn't detailed enough to fully explain what it is that you are supposed to be seeing in those pictures nor is his description of how to use the camera to achieve these results comprehensive enough. The book centers around using an SLR or compact film camera, which would have been appropriate enough in 1997 when this book first came out, but in the nine years since, digital technology has overtaken the camera world and, while the general understanding of exposure and focal length still applies, the use of a digital camera is different enough that I felt I needed a conversion table between SLR and digital concepts.

Which means I was quite disappointed with this book, although I should have checked the publication date before I started it. I've gotten more interested in photography recently, having finally embraced flickr as a means for photo sharing, and was looking for something to help me understand what makes one picture better than another, other than the simple gut feeling you get by comparing two. I came away with some new knowledge from this book in that regard, however, including issues of lighting, framing (especially with the use of the zoom lens), and composition. Even in these areas, though, I would have liked even more examples and more discussion of how the examples illustrated his point. This is an extremely short book (less than 100 pages), and might be useful to introduce you to some photo concepts, but as for actually learning photography in a weekend, I don't think this is the right teacher.

A good introduction.......2001-02-14

Okay, aside from the fact that you can't actually become an Adams, Stieglitz, or Cunningham in a weekend, the book is a good introduction. It is useful for beginners, and covers the basics well. It will not get you into the Magnum group, but it will improve the quality of your images (primarily by addressing some of the most common errors made by those learning how to make a photograph). I'd recommend it for the person who is genuinely interested in learning the basics of good photography.

An excellant way to learn the basics.......1997-11-11

This is the best of many books I have read on the basics of photography. It focuses on the key skills you need to produce good photographs. The book is very well organized and hits on all of the elements needed for those who wish to make better than average photographs.

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Learn Photography in a Weekend
Michael Langford
Manufacturer: Alfred a Knopf Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NY3VXQ

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LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY IN A WEEKEND
LANGFORD MICHAEL
Manufacturer: DORLING KINDERSLEY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S8FX1K

Learn to Make Videos in a Weekend: (#15) (Learn in a Weekend Series)

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Thumb Up from a Video Instructor

Learn to Make Videos in a Weekend: (#15) (Learn in a Weekend Series)
Roland Lewis
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0679422307
Release Date: 1993-04-27

Book Description

Part of the "Learn-in-a-Weekend" series.

Customer Reviews:

Thumb Up from a Video Instructor.......1998-03-08

As a video instructor who has worked with students ages 8 and up, I found this book to be a good primer for junior high to adult students. It is filled with color photos demonstrating techniques and written in short easy to understand segments. It doesn't cover everything in detail, but gives enough information for beginners to improve their shooting style.

Learn to Video in a Weekend (Learn in a Weekend)

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Learn to Video in a Weekend (Learn in a Weekend)
Roland Lewis
Manufacturer: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0751300225

Customer Reviews:

Great Book and great art!.......2000-03-30

I've been a huge Judge Dread fun for a long time, and I was pleasently surprised to find these books of alternate universe fiction. His meeting with Batman was very well depicted, especially when the differences, as well as the hidden similarities, of the two heros were shown. Also, their different aproaches on how to fight their common enemy is one of the highlights of the book. A definite must read to all Judge Dread funs!

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High Performance Nonprofit Organizations: Managing Upstream for Greater Impact

Best rendition of barriers of high performance in nonprofits

Excellent thought-provoking book for non-profit directors

High Performance Nonprofit Organizations: Managing Upstream for Greater Impact
Christine W. Letts , William P. Ryan , and Allen Grossman
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Nonprofit Organizations & Charities | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Business & Investing | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Business & Investing | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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Managing a Nonprofit Organization in the Twenty-First Century

Mission-Based Management: Leading Your Not-For-Profit in the 21st Century (Wiley Nonprofit Law, Finance and Management Series)

State of Nonprofit America

Harvard Business Review On Nonprofits (Harvard Business Review Paperback Series)

The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Management

ASIN: 0471174572

Book Description

Nonprofit leaders are beginning to confront the most important unfinished business of their sector. Having invented scores of successful model programs to address virtually every type of social problem or goal, they are discovering that large-scale, sustained impact remains elusive. Today, the only way to get the full benefit of successful programs, however, is for nonprofit leaders to begin building high-performance organizationsænonprofits that are capable of creating sustained, effective impact. That requires reversing decades of under-investment in the capacity of nonprofits. A sector that has been indifferent, if not hostile, to the needs of its organizations, where leaders are forced to manage upstream, against countless obstacles, now needs to apply its ingenuity and passion to the challenge of creating high-performance organizations.

Drawing on management techniques used by successful managers in both businesses and nonprofits, High Performance Nonprofit Organizations outlines approaches that nonprofits can use to build their capacity for learning, innovating, ensuring quality, and motivating staff. Illustrated with case studies and examples, the book outlines processes for achieving these goals, including:

human resources management-to attract and develop employees truly in synch with an organization's mission
benchmarking-to identify practices that best meet a nonprofit's needs
responsiveness and quality systems-to continuously review and upgrade quality of service
product development-to tap the talents of every employee to create effective programs

The authors argue that these processesæfar from corrupting a nonprofit with practices that evolved to make companies more profitableæactually help an organization convert its values and integrity into results for clients and communities. These adaptive capacities help nonprofits deliver on their mission, building the model organization that will make the biggest impact with model programs.

High Performance Nonprofit Organizations goes further, laying out an agenda for changing the nonprofit environment, making it more supportive of its managers and more aware of the potential of organizational capacity. The authors assess the special opportunity of several stakeholders-including the nonprofit board, foundations, and the national office of multisite nonprofitsæto create a new culture that values organizational performance. For the nonprofit manager trying to build an organization that is truly responsive to its clients and community, High Performance Nonprofit Organizations is an essential review of best practices. For the board member, foundation program officer, or nonprofit leader trying to create sustained impact, it is a provocative challenge to deal with the sector's unfinished business with a new approach.

Customer Reviews:

High Performance Nonprofit Organizations: Managing Upstream for Greater Impact.......2006-03-10

Good coverage of the topic. An easy-to-read format with good examples to illustrate the principles and/or concepts.

The authors are american and are writing from an american perspective with all the examples based in the US. While most of the principles are transferable to the canadian situation, it is not a crisp as if canadian examples would have been included. This singular focus did take away from the impact that the book had for me and my area of interest.

Best rendition of barriers of high performance in nonprofits.......1999-10-17

This is the best treatment I've seen of the barriers nonprofit leaders have in implementing high performance strategies in a nonprofit organization. The authors rightly point to the convergence of the bias of funders and nonprofit leaders to only invest in programs and not organizational performance improvement. They present a well-researched case that this mono-focus on investing in new programs and not the structural needs of nonprofits results in less than desireable outcomes. Our intention at the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits is to use this book to help educate the philanthropic community and nonprofit leaders in the need to better balance the altruistic urge to use every penny for client service with the need to develop the internal capacity of these organizations to continously improve their deliver systems.

Excellent thought-provoking book for non-profit directors.......1998-12-23

A great, thought-provoking look at non-profits with helpful, action-oriented examples and clear writing. What I like about this work is its focus on building organizational capacity - both as funded and prioritized by the organization itself and through foundation support.

The authors provide the insight that non-profits all too often focus exclusively on expanding their program offerings without providing for the needed organizational capacity to really pull them off. As a non-profit manager, it helped me to think through the capacity challenges we face everyday - and to think of how to create opportunities for both management and foundation support for capacity building.

The ideas they espouse will change the world of non-profits by helping to make them financially and structurally sound, while achieving high performance mission-driven results - if we listen!

A great book! Read it! Enjoy it!

Book Description

Snaking 2,540 miles from Montana to the Mississippi River, the Missouri is the longest waterway in the nation. Its basin--stretching 530,000 square miles--extends broadly into ten states and twenty-five Indian reservations. For millions of years the river and its tributaries meandered untamed. But that irrevocably changed with the passage of the Pick-Sloan Plan, part of the Flood Control Act of 1944.

In River of Promise, River of Peril, John Thorson takes the first comprehensive look at how and why the Missouri River basin--now with six major dams and hundreds of miles of navigation canals--has become one of the most significantly altered drainage systems in the country. He also looks at the consequences.

The Pick-Sloan Plan, he argues, has not fared well over time, particularly in its failure to provide an effective blueprint for regional river management. Persistent conflicts over the river, he contends, illuminate important weaknesses of federalism in dealing with regional resources, the most glaring being the exclusion of any proactive role for Indian tribal governments.

To support his argument, Thorson examines the physical, demographic, and political features of the river basin; analyzes the comprehensive river development that gave birth to the Pick-Sloan Plan; reveals why the original goals of the legislature were never achieved; explores the deep-seated and continuing tensions between basin governments; and investigates how Indian tribes, the river's ecology, and federalism have been damaged as the river has been developed. He also describes the various associations created and later abandoned from the sixties to the eighties and assesses their virtues and limitations.

Thorson sees in the story of the Missouri River Basin the vertical and horizontal strains of federalism--the states chafing against federally mandated and controlled projects exacerbated by the lack of constitutional guidance for handling conflicts among neighboring states and with Indian nations. Not just bent on spotlighting problems, Thorson also evaluates different approaches for improved river system management and recommends a Missouri River management institution based on environmentally sensitive policies, a strong state role, and full participation by the basin's tribal governments.

This book is part of the Development of Western Resources series.

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